Taiwan Night Markets: How They Work, What to Eat and Which Ones to Visit

Night markets are where Taiwan eats. After dark, streets and plazas fill with stalls selling snacks, drinks, clothes and cheap games, and people turn up for dinner, a stroll or both. Every town has one, and tasting your way through a few is one of the best things to do on a trip to the island.

How night markets work

There are more than 300 night markets across Taiwan, and the tradition is over a century old: a newspaper recorded one in 1908 in front of the Tianhou temple on Cijin Island, open from 6 pm to midnight. The markets fall into four types. Tourist markets are planned and organized by local government. Street or commercial-district markets grow from existing shopping areas that stay open late. Indoor markets are inside large buildings. Mobile markets, in car parks and open lots, open only on certain days. The food is the main draw, but you’ll also find clothing, accessories and games, such as scooping goldfish or tossing rings.

What to eat

The staples are oyster omelette, fried chicken cutlet, grilled sausage, pig-blood rice cake, sweet potato balls, shawarma, stinky tofu and bubble tea. In a 2017 Taipei poll, the top three foods were stinky tofu, oyster omelette and chicken cutlet. Some cities have their own specialties: Tainan, for example, is known for danzai noodles and “coffin bread,” a fried toast filled with a thick stew. Eat where there’s a queue of locals, and share plates so that you can try more.

The best-known markets

Shilin, Taipei

The largest night market in Taipei, built around the old Shilin public market, which is a city monument. It’s famous, and it’s busy; the market’s basement food hall reopened in April 2025 after renovation. Go early in the evening or on a weeknight to avoid the biggest crowds.

Raohe Street, Taipei

In the Songshan district, Raohe was a river port and trading stop before the city turned it into a tourist night market in 1987. It’s a street market that’s a good place to try snacks near Songshan Station.

Ningxia, Taipei

A compact market in the Datong district, which won several categories in a 2015 Taipei poll, including best market to browse and friendliest. It’s a good one if you want to focus on local snacks.

Fengjia, Taichung

Often described as the largest night market in Taiwan, around the university in western Taichung. Feng Chia University’s statistics put it at about 30,000 visitors on a weekday and more than 100,000 on holidays, so expect queues.

Liuhe, Kaohsiung

A pedestrian street since 1987, open from 6 pm to 2 am, about 380 meters long with more than 180 stalls. Chinese sources note that as tourism grew, some stalls became tourist-oriented and pricier, so look for the places where local diners are sitting.

When to go and tips

Most markets open in the early evening and run late. Bring small cash, since many stalls don’t take cards, and carry hand wipes. Summer evenings are hot and crowded, and winter evenings are cooler and quieter. See our guides to Taipei and Kaohsiung, and our Taiwan travel guides.

Planning a night market evening with Absolute Asia Tours

Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. For night markets that means a guide who knows which stalls the locals queue for, an early evening start to beat the crowds, and an evening plan that fits around your sightseeing days. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. Have a look at our Taiwan tours or tell us your dates.

Sources (read in Chinese): Chinese Wikipedia entries on Taiwan night markets, Shilin, Raohe Street, Ningxia, Fengjia and Liuhe. Last checked November 2026.

Taiwan night markets: FAQ

How many night markets are there in Taiwan?

More than 300, across the island.

What is the best night market in Taipei?

Shilin is the largest and best known. Raohe and Ningxia are smaller and easier to walk.

What should you eat at a Taiwan night market?

Oyster omelette, fried chicken cutlet, stinky tofu, sausage, sweet potato balls and bubble tea are among the favorites.

What is the biggest night market in Taiwan?

Fengjia in Taichung is often described as the largest.

When do night markets open?

In the early evening, usually around dusk, and they run late. Liuhe in Kaohsiung runs from 6 pm to 2 am.

Do night market stalls take cards?

Many don’t, so bring small cash.

Photo: Junyu-K, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.